For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
Full PDF Release

MSU Moorhead Tabbed NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Overall & North Favorite
Augustana Picked in South

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota State University Moorhead was selected by the league coaches as the overall and north division preseason favorite in the NSIC for the 2017-18 season.  The Dragons received 10 first place votes and amassed 213 points, to edge Northern State by four points. The Wolves received four first place votes, while Augustana garnered two first place votes and 200 points to rank third.  Wayne State was fourth (182) while Winona State (152) was fifth.  Augustana edged Wayne State in the south standing by three points while MSU Moorhead was the pick in the north with 47 points, two points ahead of Northern State.

NSIC coaches rank each team from 1 to 15 with a first place vote receiving 15 points, second place 14, third place 13, etc. Coaches do not rank their own team or vote for their own players. 
 

Overall	Points		North Division	Points
1. MSU Moorhead (10)	213		1. MSU Moorhead (5)	47
2. Northern State (4)	209		2. Northern State (3)	45
3. Augustana (2)	200		3. University of Mary	34
4. Wayne State	182		4. Minnesota Duluth	32
5. Winona State	152		5. St. Cloud State	26
6. Concordia-St. Paul	140		6. Bemidji State	15
7. Minnesota State	132		7. Minnesota Crookston	13
8. Minnesota Duluth	126		8. Minot State	12
9. University of Mary	125		South Division	Points
10. Sioux Falls	123		1. Augustana (5)	47
11. St. Cloud State	91		2. Wayne State (3)	44
12. Southwest Minnesota State	58		3. Winona State	33
13. Minnesota Crookston	51		4. Concordia-St. Paul	29
14. Bemidji State	43		Minnesota State	29
15. Upper Iowa	39		6. Sioux Falls	20
16. Minot State	36		7. Southwest Minnesota State	14
first place votes in ( )			8. Upper Iowa	8

The regular season champion will be based on the 22-game NSIC schedule.  Each team will play teams in their division twice (14) and teams in the other division once (8).  An NSIC North and South Division Champion will also be awarded.  Divisional standings will also be based on all 22 NSIC contests played.  In the case of a tie, co-champions will be awarded. The 16-team NSIC / Sanford Health Women’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championships are set to take place Sat.-Tues., Feb. 24-27 at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.  First round games will be played on the campus of the top eight seeds on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

The 2017-18 women’s basketball season gets underway on Friday, November 3 with conference action beginning the week of November 20.



#42 Drew Sannes (F, 6-3, Sr., Hawley, Minn./  Hawley HS)
Minnesota State University Moorehad
- 2016-17 NSIC Player of the Year
- Named WBCA All-American honorable mention
- Named D2 Bulletin All-American honorable mention.
- First-Team All-NSIC
- Led MSUM to first NCAA tournament since 2009 and first NSIC title since 2004-05
- Led Dragons in scoring (15.3) and rebounds (8.3)
- Closing in on all-time record for blocks at MSUM



#52 Paige Ballinger (F, 6-1, Sr., Pender, Neb. / Pender HS)
Wayne State College
- Earned First Team All-NSIC honors for second straight season
- Averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game last season
- Led NSIC in blocked shots, ranked eighth in field goal percentage (.498) and 10th in scoring
- Scored double figures in 24 games, including last 12 in a row
- Recorded eight games of 20 or more points with six coming in the final 12 games
- Named NSIC South Division Preseason Player of the Year for second consecutive season
 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
23-8, 17-5 South	4 / 1	12	2nd Overall, 1st South
Team Preview
Coming off a season in which they won 23 games, head coach Dave Krauth and the Augustana women's basketball team have returned to the court for the start of the 2017-18 season. The Vikings posted a 23-8 record last season, making it the 12th time in the last 13 years they have won at least 20 games under the guidance of coach Krauth, who's beginning his 29th year as the Augustana women's basketball coach. Four of the top five scorers in 2016 return for the Vikings this season, including top scorer Logan O'Farrell. The senior from Summit, S.D., was the 2016 NSIC defensive player of the year and averaged 12.2 points and 7.6 rebounds-per-contest in her 31 starts. The 1,000 point scorer led Augustana from the free-throw line, shooting 83 percent. Lynsey Prosser, who joins O'Farrell as the two Vikings to start in all 31 games last season, is the team's leading returning three-point shooter. The junior guard knocked down 41 shots from behind the three-point line last season at a 30 percent clip. As a team last season, Augustana led the NSIC in scoring offense and was 20th nationally, averaging over 77 points-per-game. The Vikings got it done on the defensive side of the ball as well, hauling in the most rebounds and snagging the most steals in the conference.
Player to Watch
#30 Logan O’Farrell (G, 5’11”, Sr., Summit, S.D / Summit HS)
First game
Monday, Nov. 13 vs. Truman State – 5:30 p.m.

 

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
7-20, 4-18 North	2 / 3	8	13th Overall, 7th North
Team Preview
With three starters and six seniors leaving last season’s squad, the 2017-18 Bemidji State Women’s basketball program will get a taste of new blood on the court. BSU’s Player to Watch and 2014-15 NSIC Freshman of the Year Sierra Senske joins senior Sam Adamich as the only two Beaver starters to return this season. Senske played and started in all 27 games and returns as the team’s leading scorer with 12.0 points per game last season. She shot 46.2 percent from the field and led the team with 6.0 rebounds per game. Senske became the 20th member of BSU’s 1,000-point club in February. In her first year with the team, Adamich started 22 of 26 games played in while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor and grabbing 3.5 rebounds per game. Erica Gartner and Mikayla Larson are the most seasoned guards from last year, as Gartner averaged 14.6 minutes and Larson averaged 8.7 minutes per game. Gartner shot 42.0 percent from the floor compared to 50.0 percent by Larson. Center Sydney Arrington and forward Emma Rappe will remain in the rotation in the post after averaging 12.9 and 9.8 minutes per game, respectively. Arrington recorded 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while backing up Senske. Head Coach Chelsea DeVille, entering her third season at BSU, brings on six true freshmen to this year’s squad, including four guards, one forward and one center. Each freshman will have an opportunity to see playing time to help build the young core at BSU.
Player to Watch
#32 Sierra Senske (C, 6-2, Sr., Glyndon, Minn. / Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton HS)
First game
Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Valley City State – 4 p.m.

 

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
19-10, 15-7 South	2 / 3	7	t-5th Overall, t-3rd South
Team Preview
The Bears return nine from their 2016-17 roster while adding four new faces to this year’s squad. Concordia is looking to build on last year’s finish, as they ended up 19-10 overall and 15-7 in conference play which was good for a 5th place overall finish. Last season, the team went on a ten game win streak in the middle of their conference schedule and were tough to beat at home as they went 11-3 in home games. They finished with a game in the NSIC tournament with a close loss to Minnesota Crookston. This year they will lean on experienced players like Anna Schmitt and Kyrah Fredenburg, as well as their other five upperclassman. Schmitt led the conference in scoring last season, averaging 18.3 points per game, while Fredenburg led the conference in rebounding, averaging 10.3 per game. Six underclassman also look to provide some offensive production for the Golden Bears, including four new freshman players. They will need to replace three starters from last season who averaged 7.9 points per game or higher. The Bears open their season with two road games in Kansas City before returning to St. Paul to host three other non-conference opponents. Conference play opens on December 1st for CSP as they take on Augustana at home.
Player to Watch
#11 Anna Schmitt (G, 5-7, Jr., Waconia, Minn. / Waconia HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Piitsburg State (Kan.) – 12 p.m.

University of Mary Marauders

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
15-16, 10-12 North	3 / 2	9/2	10th Overall, 4th North
Team Preview
Fresh off earning a home playoff game in the Northern Sun tournament last season, the University of Mary will be one of the youngest teams in the Northern Sun next season. After graduating two seniors, the Marauders look to start three sophomores in 2017-18 and possibly four underclassmen total. Senior Dani Williams enters her third year in the starting lineup. After playing the point last year, Williams will see action at the wing and is a scoring threat from the outside. Sophomore center Gabbie Bohl started every game as a freshman and was a force inside. The NSIC Freshman of the Year also earned a spot on the All-NSIC second team and the NSIC all-freshman team. Bohl averaged 15.3 ppg and 5.9 rpg and twice earned NSIC Player of the Week honors. She scored 20 or more points nine times, had four double doubles and posted double digit points in all but two NSIC games. Sophomore guard Lauren Rotunda also started all 31 games last year in her first collegiatre season and joined Bohl on the NSIC All-Freshman team. The Fargo, ND, native averaged 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists while making 81.8 percent of her free throw attempts. A key reserve for the Marauders last season, forward Cassie Askvig averaged 8.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a freshman while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor and 84.8 percent at the line. The 6-2 sophomore looks to replace graduated Hannah Larson, one of UMary’s all-time leading scorers and rebounders. Newcomers to watch for the Marauders include freshman guard Macy Williams and sophomore Jordyn Jossart, who is transferring from NCAA Division I Marist College back to her home town.
Player to Watch
#32 Gabbie Bohl (C, 6-2, So., Minot, N.D. / Bishop Ryan)
First game
Friday. Nov. 10 vs. Central Missouri – 2:30 pm in Kansas City, Mo.

 

University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
8-20, 7-15 North	4/1	8	12th Overall, 6th North
Team Preview
The Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team will look to build on their tradition of success recently as they have made three-consecutive NSIC/Sanford Health quarterfinals at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Golden Eagles return a veteran squad that returns four starters from last season. Minnesota Crookston will look to their upperclassmen to lead the way in the form of returning starters Micaela Noga and Caitlin Michaelis at guard, and Emily Gruber and Isieoma Odor in the post. Odor leads all returnees after averaging 13.3 points per game, while Michela Noga notched 10.1 points per game and shot 34.8 percent from beyond the arc. Gruber and Michaelis were also impact players averaging 8.2 points and 5.1 points respectively. Off of the bench, the Golden Eagles return sometimes starter Stephanie McWilliams at guard, while Paige Weakley, Lindsey Weber and Amber Schoenicke all saw time last year and will compete for playing time during the 2017-18 season. In addition, Minnesota Crookston added newcomers Kasey Harper, Ashley Freund, Abby Guidinger and Maria Delgado to the fray. All four players are competing to see time on the floor this season. Minnesota Crookston enters their 12th season under Mike Roysland, who moved past 100 wins in his college coaching career last season. Roysland led the Golden Eagles to a program-record 18 wins during the 2015-16 season. Minnesota Crookston hosted home playoff games during that season and the 2014-15 campaign.
Player to Watch
#10 Micaela Noga (G, 5-7, Sr., Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie HS)
First game
Saturday, Sept. 17 vs. Michigan Tech – 6 p.m.

 

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
14-14, 11-11 North	1 / 4	11	9th Overall, 3rd North
Team Preview
The University of Minnesota Duluth will look improve on its 9th place NSIC finish last season after the departure of four starting seniors. Head coach Mandy Pearson returns for her third season that saw the Bulldogs’ win total improve by four games. UMD won its first NSIC tournament game in seven tries and hosted a home playoff game for the first time since 2012. The Bulldogs were third in the NSIC in turnover differential at nearly 4 turnovers in the black. UMD lost its leading scorer Taylor Meyer but retains junior guard Sammy Kozlowski who averaged 13.4 points per game. Kozlowski also registered a team-high 3.9 assists per game and team-high 2.5 steals per game. With Kozlowski, the Bulldogs, who were second in the NSIC in three-point shooting percentage, hope to continue its efficiency from downtown (37.0 percent). Senior forward Anna Monke will lock down one of the starting positions and will see plenty of minutes and is a contender to break out this season. Monke was second among the team in field goal percentage with her 46.3 percentage. The Bulldogs begin the season against Wisconsin-Parkside Nov. 18 and have their home opener four days later versus Lake Superior State. UMD will have five of its final seven NSIC games at Romano Gymnasium to conclude the season.
Player to Watch
#24 Anna Monke (F, 6-0, 195, Sr., Fergus Falls, Minn. / Fergus Falls HS)
First game
Saturday, Nov. 18 at Wisconsin-Parkside – 3 p.m.

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
16-11, 12-10 South	3 / 3	10	8th Overall, 6th South
Team Preview
Minnesota State finished eighth in the NSIC overall standings and sixth in the south division. The Mavericks fell to Minnesota Duluth in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament, 83-73, last season. The roster this season will feature four seniors, two juniors, four sophomores and five freshman. Senior Claire Ziegler led the Mavericks in both points per game (11.9) and rebounds per game (7.8). Sophomore Taylor Klug also netted 8.4 points per game with a .438 field goal percentage last season. Ziegler made a team-high 105 field goals last season to go along with a .441 field goal percentage. She ranked eighth in the NSIC in rebounds last season and tallied 12 blocks on the defensive end.
Player to Watch
#44 Claire Ziegler  (F, 6-0, Sr., Mankato, Minn. / Mankato East HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Washburn – 7:30 p.m. (Kansas City, Mo.)

 

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
24-5, 20-2 North	3/2	9	1st overall; 1st NSIC North
Team Preview
MSUM is coming off of an NSIC championship season and a first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2009. The Dragons are led by 2016-17 NSIC Player of the Year Drew Sannes, who averaged 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent from the field. A senior forward, Sannes was WBCA All-American Honorable mention, D2CCAA All-Central Team, D2 All-American Honorable mention and first-team All-NSIC. Also returning is senior guard Cassidy Thorson, who led the team with 85 three-pointers while shooting nearly 40 percent from behind the arc. Thorson scored 14.1 points per game. Junior guard Jacky Volkert averaged 12.7 points per game a year ago as well. MSUM has yet to have a losing season in Head Coach Karla Nelson’s 17-year tenure.
Player to Watch
#42 Drew Sannes (F, 6-3, Sr., Hawley, Minn. / Hawley HS)
First game
Thursday, Nov. 16 vs. Michigan Tech - 6 p.m.

 

Minot State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
4-25, 2-20 North	4 / 1	11	16th Overall, 8th North
Team Preview
Head coach Mark Graupe begins his first season at Minot State. The Beavers will look to improve on from their 2016-17 season that finished 4-25 overall and 2-20 in Northern Sun play. Minot State finished eighth in the NSIC North Division and 16th overall. MSU returns 11 letterwinners and four starters from last year’s squad. The Beavers return a pair of seniors who started last year in Kristal Flowers and Diondra Denton. Flowers averaged 9.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while Denton added 7.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Junior Kari Clements started 28 of 29 games last season as a sophomore and averaged a team-high 10.7 points per game while also dishing out a team-high 65 assists. Junior Madison Wald returns after starting 18 games in her sophomore campaign. Wald averaged 10.3 points per game while shooting a team-best 37.2% from three-point range. Senior transfer Holly Johnson was tabbed as the Player to Watch for Minot State. Johnson played three seasons at North Dakota State, including earning Honorable Mention All-Summit League honors in 2014-15 before transferring to North Dakota.
Player to Watch
#23 Holly Johnson (F, 6-0, Sr., Minot, N.D./ Minot HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Rocky Mountain College – 1 p.m.

 

Northern State University Wolves

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
24-7, 16-6 North	3/2	9	3rd Overall, 2nd North
Team Preview
The Northern State University women’s basketball team returns in 2017-18 after a 24-7 season and their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Wolves won their second NSIC Tournament Championship in three seasons, defeating Sioux Falls 55-52 at the Sanford Pentagon. Wolves head coach, Curt Fredrickson, tallied the 800th win of his career and finished the season with 820 through 38 seasons at the helm. Northern went 11-2 from Wachs Arena, as they led the nation for the tenth straight season in NCAA DII attendance, averaging 2,910 fans per game. As a team the Wolves finished the year third in scoring defense (57.5), third in scoring margin (+11.2), second in field goal percentage (44.9), first in field goal percentage defense (35.0), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (30.5), fifth in offensive rebounds (11.8), fifth in defensive rebounds (27.8), fifth in assists/turnover ratio (1.22), fourth in blocked shots (4.35), second in assists (16.06), and first in rebounding margin (+9.2) in the NSIC. Northern returns starters Brianna Kusler, Jill Conrad, and Miranda Ristau from a season ago, as well as 2015-16 starter Alexis Tappe. NSU has a wealth of bench experience in upperclassmen Gabby Laimer and Brynn Flakus, as well as sophomores Jessi Marti and Sara Tvedt. Ristau was nabbed as the team’s player to watch after a first team all-conference and NSIC All-Tournament team performance in 2016-17, where she led the team in scoring (515 pts) and rebounding (249 rebs). She was also top-5 in the NSIC in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. Northern opens the season with three exhibition games against Creighton, South Dakota State, and Dakota Wesleyan, before heading to face Harding and Central Missouri in regional play.
Player to Watch
#51 Miranda Ristau  (C, 6-2, Sr., Warner, S.D./Warner HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Harding in Kansas City, Missouri  – 5 p.m.

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
22-8, 15-7 South	2 / 3	8	T-5th overall, T-3rd South
Team Preview
After consecutive trips to the Sanford Health/NSIC Tournament championship game, including the tournament title in 2016, the University of Sioux Falls Women’s Basketball team enters the 2017-18 season with a young team, but return a talented core from last year’s 22-win squad. USF’s returning starters Jacey Huinker and Kaely Hummel welcome nine freshman to the 2017-18 team. Huinker returns as the stat sheet stuffer as leading returning rebounder with a nice 6.9 rebounds per game and handed out 2.4 assists per game as a 5-foot-11 forward. The leading returning scorer and USF’s player to watch, Hummel averaged 8.0 points per game last year, including a team-high 54 made three-point field goals. Moira Duffy enters her senior season after a 2.3-rpg and 1.8 ppg campaign. Tenth-year head coach Travis Traphagen will look for sophomore forward Andi Mataloni (5.4 ppg) to bring her shooting prowess into the starting lineup after connecting on 46 threes at a 39.3 rate. Mariah Szymanski was a key reserve guard for USF, playing an average of 10.2 minutes per game with an average of 3.4 points per game. Augustana Thramer slides into a key guard role after seeing action in 16 games while freshmen Kennedy Dighton, Jasmine Harris, and Lauren Sanders all should compete for immediate playing time.
Player to Watch
#12 Kaely Hummel (G, 5-8, So., Cherokee, Iowa. / Cherokee Washington HS)
First game
Tuesday, Nov. 14 vs. Presentation (S.D.) – 6 p.m.

 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
3-24, 3-19 South	3 / 2	6	15th Overall, 8th South
Team Preview
The 2017-18 season marks the second year of the Tom Webb era for SMSU women's basketball as the Mustangs will look to improve on a 3-24 season in 2016-17. SMSU struggled early last season facing non-conference opponents that finished with a combined 69-45 record. The Mustangs captured three wins in NSIC play and were forced to face top-seeded MSU Moorhead in the first round of the Sanford Health/ NSIC Tournament where they fell, 71-35. Coach Webb's 2017-18 roster features 15 total players including a total of seven true freshman. The young roster also includes three sophomores, two juniors and three senior players. This year's returners include senior forward, Lauren Hedlund, who begins the new season just 17 points shy of becoming the 19th women's basketball player in the SMSU 1,000 point club. Hedlund ranks seventh in SMSU history in career rebounds per game (7.1) and is second all-time in offensive rebounds per game (3.0). Hedlund's 93 offensive rebounds last season was the seventh most for a single season in SMSU history. Sophomore, Caleigh Rodning, also returns to the Mustangs' front court coming off of a season in which she was named to the NSIC All-Freshman team after averaging 13.7 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game a season ago. Rodning led SMSU in scoring 13 times last year and had a streak of eight consecutive double-doubles. The Mustangs will open the season for a second straight year at the MIAA/NSIC Challenge in Fayette, Iowa on Nov. 11-12.
Player to Watch
#33 Lauren Hedlund (F, 5-11, Sr., Hinton, Iowa / Hinton HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 11 vs. Missouri Western State (in Fayette, Iowa) – 5:30 p.m.

 

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
11-16, 9-13 North	3 / 2	13	11th Overall, 5th North
Team Preview
The St. Cloud State women’s basketball program will try to get back to the winning ways and returns three starters plus 13 letter winners from last year’s roster. The team’s top returning player is senior guard Amanda Christianson, who averaged 11 points per game while shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range last season. She placed fifth in the NSIC in three-point percentage. Christianson scored a career-high 26 points against Minnesota Crookston last season. Also returning is Andrea Thomas, who had averages of 8.3 and 4.2 rebounds per game. She ranked second on the team in steals as a junior with 43. Thomas was named as an NSIC Player to Watch this season. The team will count on senior forward Emily Pratt and junior forward Brianna Johnson to add a post presence. Pratt started all 27 games last season with averages of 3.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Johnson averaged 4.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest in only 16.3 minutes a game off the bench. Also expected to play a more prominent role this season is redshirt junior guard Mallie Doucette. Doucette put up 5.7 points a contest last season and had a high of 22 points against Southwest Minnesota State. Additional returning players are guard Madelin Dammann, post player Kassidy Steen, guard Mackenzie Uter, guard Jocelyn Johnson, guard Jill Kedrowski, forward Taylor Persche and forward McKenna Hapke. The program also welcomes in freshmen guards Tori Wortz and Caitlyn Peterson plus freshman forward Nikki Kilboten
Player to Watch
#10 Andrea Thomas (G, 5-5, Sr., Mauston, Wis. / Mauston HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Valley City State - 7 p.m.

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners	2015-16 Standings
4-23, 4-18 South	2/3	5	t-13th Overall, 7th South
Team Preview
The Peacocks finished their first season under Head Coach Micha Thompson with a 4-23 record. All four wins came against NSIC teams with half against each division. The conference wins included victories over Southwest Minnesota State, Bemidji State University, Minot State University and Concordia-St. Paul. Peacock sophomore Blair Klostermann earned an All-NSIC First Team selection last season. The Dyersville, Iowa product earned the honor after scoring 19.1 points per conference game finishing highest among all NSIC scorers. Klostermann scored 382 points for the Peacocks while playing in and starting 20 of the 22 conference games; her first season at Upper Iowa ended due to an injury at home in the team's upset win over Concordia University, St. Paul. UIU's star guard shot 39.9% from the floor including 36.7% from three and 84.8% of her free throws. Klostermann added 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per conference game as well. Klostermann scored a career-high 34 points at home against Wayne State College and netted 30 points in a road win at Southwest Minnesota State University. In addition to Klostermann, the Peacocks will return senior Ashley Ray, juniors Haley Martin and Ashley Rosenstiel, as well as sophomore Bekka Pierson to the court for the 2017-18 season. A wealth of newcomers are also poised to take their place on the court for Upper Iowa including five freshman, three transfers and a player that transferred to UIU prior to last season, but had to redshirt due to injury.
Player to Watch
#13 Blair Klostermann (Jr., 5-11, G, Dyersville, Iowa, Beckman Catholic HS, William Jewell College)
First game
MIAA/NSIC Tournament Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Fort Hays State  at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Missouri Western State  at 5 p.m.

 

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
23-7, 16-6 South	3 / 2	9	4th Overall, 2nd South
Team Preview
The Wildcats just missed the NCAA Division II National Tournament last season finishing 23-7 overall while placing second in the NSIC South Division with a 16-6 league mark.  It was the sixth 20-win season in the last eight years for the Wildcat program.  WSC has high hopes again this season with the return of two All-NSIC performers and three starters back from last year’s team.  Headlining the list of returners is 6-1 senior center Paige Ballinger, a First Team All-NSIC honoree the last two seasons.  Last season, Ballinger averaged 14.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while leading the league in blocked shots with 77 while shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 78.5 percent at the charity stripe.  The other returning All-NSIC performer is 6-0 senior forward Maggie Schulte, a Second Team selection each of the last two seasons.  Schulte scored 11.9 points a game last season to go with 6.2 rebounds a contest.  The other returning starter for the ‘Cats is also a senior – 5-10 guard Kacie O’Connor, who led the team in 3-pointers last season (39) while averaging 8.9 points a contest.  Four other players appeared in all 30 games last season for the ‘Cats off the bench and will provide depth to the team this season along with five freshmen and one transfer.  Wayne State opens the season with three games in three days November 3-5 at the Division II Disney/CCA Tip Off Classic in Anaheim, California playing Young Harris (Ga.), Azusa Pacific (Calif.) and Wisconsin-Parkside.
Player to Watch
#52 Paige Ballinger (C, 6-1, Sr., Pender, Neb. / Pender HS)
First game
Friday, November 3rd vs. Young Harris College (Ga.) at Div. II CCA Classic in California 1:15 p.m.

 

Winona State University Warriors

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
22-9, 15-7 South	2 / 3	6	t-5th Overall, t-4th South
Team Preview
A year removed from a program-record 30 wins and a second round appearance in the NCAA Regionals, Winona posted a 22-win season in 2016-17 and reached the NSIC semifinals before falling in OT to the eventual tournament champion, Northern State. The Warriors will have a balance of returning players and newcomers (2 transfers – 7 total). All totaled, WSU is still relatively young with nine underclassmen. The Warriors led the NSIC in field goal shooting (45.6%) and three-point shooting (37.9%) last season.
Player to Watch
#24 Hannah McGlone (F, 6-0, Sr., Steamwood, Ill. / Steamwood HS)
First game
Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Beloit – 4 p.m.